Hire Deeply Vetted Objective-C Developer

How and where is Objective-C used?

Soft skills of a Objective-C Developer

Soft skills are essential for Objective-C developers as they contribute to effective communication, collaboration, and overall professionalism. Here are the soft skills required at different levels of expertise:

Junior

• Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn new concepts and technologies relevant to Objective-C development.
• Teamwork: Capacity to work collaboratively with other developers and contribute to team projects.
• Problem-solving: Aptitude for identifying and resolving coding issues and bugs in Objective-C.
• Time Management: Skill to prioritize tasks and meet project deadlines efficiently.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to pay close attention to code quality, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

Middle

• Leadership: Capability to lead small teams and mentor junior developers in Objective-C development.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Critical Thinking: Aptitude for analyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutions using Objective-C.
• Project Management: Skill to manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery and resource allocation.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement.
• Collaboration: Capacity to work closely with cross-functional teams, such as designers and testers, to deliver quality Objective-C solutions.
• Client-Facing Skills: Proficiency in communicating with clients, understanding their requirements, and providing technical guidance.

Senior

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align Objective-C development with broader business objectives and contribute to long-term planning.
• Mentorship: Skill to mentor and guide junior and middle-level Objective-C developers, fostering their professional growth.
• Conflict Resolution: Aptitude for resolving conflicts and mediating disagreements within the development team.
• Decision Making: Capacity to make informed decisions regarding technology choices, architecture, and project direction.
• Quality Assurance: Proficiency in implementing best practices for code reviews, testing, and ensuring high-quality Objective-C code.
• Innovation: Ability to identify and leverage emerging Objective-C trends and technologies to drive innovation.
• Client Relationship Management: Expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and providing tailored solutions.
• Presentation Skills: Strong presentation skills to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Expert/Team Lead

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to provide strategic direction to the Objective-C development team and align it with organizational goals.
• Team Management: Skill to manage and motivate a team of Objective-C developers, ensuring optimal performance and productivity.
• Business Acumen: Proficiency in understanding the business context and translating it into effective Objective-C solutions.
• Negotiation Skills: Aptitude for negotiating contracts, timelines, and project scope with clients or stakeholders.
• Risk Management: Ability to identify and mitigate risks associated with Objective-C development projects.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated with the latest Objective-C trends, frameworks, and best practices.
• Empathy: Capacity to understand and empathize with team members, clients, and end-users for better collaboration and user-centric solutions.
• Influence: Skill to influence and inspire the Objective-C development team to achieve exceptional results.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to think creatively and identify opportunities to leverage Objective-C development for business growth.
• Strategic Partnerships: Proficiency in building strategic partnerships with external organizations and vendors to enhance Objective-C capabilities.
• Conflict Management: Expertise in effectively managing conflicts within the team or with stakeholders, ensuring a positive and collaborative work environment.

Pros & cons of Objective-C

6 Pros of Objective-C

• 1. Wide Range of Library Support: Objective-C benefits from a vast collection of libraries and frameworks, including Apple’s own Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks. These libraries provide developers with ready-made solutions for common tasks, saving them time and effort in the development process.
• 2. Robust Community: Objective-C has a strong and active community of developers who actively contribute to its growth and provide support through forums, tutorials, and open-source projects. This community ensures that developers have access to valuable resources and can easily seek help when facing challenges.
• 3. Compatibility with C: Objective-C is a strict superset of the C programming language, meaning that any existing C code can be seamlessly integrated into Objective-C projects. This compatibility allows developers to leverage their existing C knowledge and codebase while transitioning to Objective-C.
• 4. Dynamic Runtime: Objective-C’s dynamic runtime allows for dynamic method resolution, message forwarding, and other powerful runtime features. This flexibility enables developers to write highly adaptable and extensible code, making it easier to implement changes and additions to their applications.
• 5. Proven Track Record: Objective-C has a long history and has been widely used in the development of successful applications and software products. This track record demonstrates its reliability and stability, making it a trusted choice for many developers.
• 6. Seamless Integration with Swift: Objective-C is fully compatible with Swift, Apple’s modern programming language. This means that developers can seamlessly mix Objective-C and Swift code in the same project, allowing for a smooth transition and enabling the use of both languages’ strengths.

6 Cons of Objective-C

• 1. Steep Learning Curve: Objective-C has a complex syntax with a steep learning curve, especially for developers coming from other programming languages. Its unique syntax and reliance on manual memory management can make it challenging for beginners to grasp initially.
• 2. Manual Memory Management: Unlike some modern programming languages, Objective-C requires manual memory management, where developers are responsible for managing memory allocations and deallocations. This can be error-prone and time-consuming, as developers need to carefully manage memory to avoid memory leaks and crashes.
• 3. Lack of Modern Language Features: Objective-C lacks some of the modern language features found in newer programming languages like Swift. For example, it does not have built-in support for features like optionals, generics, or type inference, which can make the code more verbose and less expressive.
• 4. Limited Tooling and IDE Support: While Objective-C has matured over the years, it still lags behind Swift in terms of tooling and IDE support. Some modern development tools and features are primarily built with Swift in mind, making it less convenient for Objective-C developers.
• 5. Limited Cross-Platform Support: Objective-C is primarily used for developing applications on Apple platforms, such as iOS, macOS, and watchOS. While it is possible to use Objective-C for cross-platform development, it requires additional effort and may not offer the same level of support and compatibility as other cross-platform frameworks.
• 6. Declining Popularity: With the introduction of Swift as Apple’s preferred programming language, the popularity of Objective-C has been declining. This decline may impact the availability of resources, tutorials, and community support dedicated to Objective-C in the future.

What are top Objective-C instruments and tools?

• Clang: The Clang compiler is an open-source compiler for the C, C++, and Objective-C programming languages. It was first released in 2007 as part of the LLVM project. Clang is known for its fast compilation speed and excellent error messages, which helps developers identify and fix issues more efficiently. It has become the default compiler for Objective-C and is widely used in the iOS and macOS development community.
• Instruments: Instruments is a performance analysis and debugging tool provided by Apple. It allows developers to profile their applications, measure performance, and identify any memory leaks or performance bottlenecks. Instruments provides a variety of instruments such as Time Profiler, Allocations, and Leaks, which help developers optimize their Objective-C code for better performance and stability.
• Xcode: Xcode is the integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS and iOS development. It includes a range of tools and features that make Objective-C development easier and more efficient. Xcode provides a code editor, a graphical user interface designer, a debugger, and various performance analysis tools. It is widely used by Objective-C developers for building iOS and macOS applications.
• CocoaPods: CocoaPods is a dependency manager for Objective-C projects. It simplifies the process of integrating third-party libraries and frameworks into an Objective-C project by managing their installation and versioning. CocoaPods has a vast repository of libraries, making it easier for developers to leverage existing code and accelerate the development process.
• AppCode: AppCode is an integrated development environment (IDE) specifically designed for Objective-C, Swift, and C/C++ development. It provides advanced code analysis, refactoring tools, and an intuitive user interface. AppCode supports Xcode projects and seamlessly integrates with other development tools. It is known for its intelligent code completion and navigation features, which boost productivity for Objective-C developers.
• Parse: Parse is a cloud-based mobile app development platform that provides backend services and tools for building iOS and Android applications. It includes an Objective-C SDK that simplifies the process of integrating the app with the Parse backend. Parse offers features such as user authentication, push notifications, and data storage, which make it easier for developers to focus on the frontend development of their Objective-C apps.

Hard skills of a Objective-C Developer

Objective-C is a programming language primarily used for developing software applications for Apple’s macOS and iOS platforms. It is essential for Objective-C developers to possess a strong set of hard skills in order to excel in their roles. Here are the hard skills required for Objective-C developers at different levels:

Junior

• Objective-C Syntax: Proficiency in writing code using Objective-C syntax and understanding the language’s fundamentals.
• iOS Development: Knowledge of iOS app development using Objective-C, including familiarity with Cocoa Touch frameworks.
• Memory Management: Understanding memory management concepts in Objective-C, including manual memory management using retain, release, and autorelease.
• Object-Oriented Programming: Strong understanding of object-oriented programming principles and concepts.
• Debugging and Troubleshooting: Ability to identify and fix code issues using debugging tools and techniques.

Middle

• Advanced Objective-C Concepts: In-depth knowledge of advanced concepts in Objective-C, such as blocks, categories, and protocols.
• UI Development: Experience in developing user interfaces for iOS apps using Interface Builder and UIKit.
• Data Persistence: Familiarity with Core Data and other mechanisms for storing and retrieving data in Objective-C applications.
• Network Programming: Understanding of network programming concepts, including making HTTP requests and handling JSON data.
• Version Control: Proficiency in using version control systems like Git to manage code repositories and collaborate with other developers.
• Performance Optimization: Ability to optimize Objective-C code for improved app performance and responsiveness.
• Unit Testing: Knowledge of writing unit tests for Objective-C code using frameworks like XCTest.

Senior

• Concurrency: Expertise in multi-threading and concurrent programming using Grand Central Dispatch and other concurrency frameworks.
• Advanced UI Development: Proficiency in creating complex and custom user interfaces using advanced UI components and animations.
• Advanced Debugging: Ability to debug complex issues and memory leaks using advanced debugging techniques and tools.
• Code Refactoring: Experience in refactoring and improving existing Objective-C codebases for better maintainability and scalability.
• Code Review: Ability to perform thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback to other team members.
• App Store Submission: Knowledge of the app submission process to the App Store, including code signing and distribution.
• Performance Profiling: Proficiency in using performance profiling tools to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in Objective-C applications.
• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and mentoring abilities to guide and support junior developers in the team.

Expert/Team Lead

• Architectural Design: Expertise in designing scalable and maintainable software architectures for large-scale Objective-C applications.
• Cross-Platform Development: Experience in cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native or Xamarin.
• Security: Knowledge of implementing secure coding practices and addressing common security vulnerabilities in Objective-C applications.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Proficiency in setting up CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment processes.
• Performance Tuning: Ability to fine-tune the performance of Objective-C applications by optimizing algorithms and leveraging hardware capabilities.
• Team Management: Experience in leading and managing development teams, including task assignment, performance evaluation, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Technical Documentation: Strong written communication skills to create comprehensive technical documentation and API references.
• Industry Trends: Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in Objective-C and iOS development.
• Client Interaction: Ability to effectively communicate with clients, gather requirements, and provide technical guidance and solutions.
• Project Management: Experience in coordinating and overseeing the development lifecycle, including planning, estimation, and delivery of projects.
• Agile Methodologies: Proficiency in agile development methodologies like Scrum or Kanban to ensure efficient project execution and delivery.

TOP 10 Objective-C Related Technologies

• Objective-C

  Objective-C is a versatile and powerful programming language used primarily for software development on Apple’s platforms. It provides a dynamic runtime environment and supports a wide range of features such as message passing and dynamic typing.

• Xcode

  Xcode is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Objective-C software development. It offers a suite of tools, including a code editor, debugger, and interface builder, to streamline the development process and enhance productivity.

• Cocoa Touch

  Cocoa Touch is a framework that provides a set of APIs for building user interfaces and handling user interactions in Objective-C-based iOS applications. It includes classes for working with touch events, animations, and UI components like buttons and table views.

• Core Data

  Core Data is a framework that simplifies data management in Objective-C applications. It provides an object-oriented interface for interacting with a persistent store, allowing developers to easily manage and manipulate data objects.

• UIKit

  UIKit is a framework that provides a collection of classes for building graphical user interfaces in Objective-C. It offers a wide range of pre-built UI components, such as buttons, labels, and text fields, and simplifies the process of creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces.

• Grand Central Dispatch

  Grand Central Dispatch (GCD) is a technology that enables concurrent programming in Objective-C. It provides a simple and efficient way to perform tasks in parallel, improving the performance and responsiveness of applications.

• Auto Layout

  Auto Layout is a system for dynamically calculating the size and position of user interface elements in Objective-C applications. It allows developers to create adaptive and responsive layouts that automatically adjust to different screen sizes and orientations.

Cases when Objective-C does not work

1. When developing for platforms other than Apple: Objective-C is primarily used for developing applications for Apple’s platforms such as macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS. If you are targeting other platforms like Windows, Android, or Linux, Objective-C may not be the most suitable choice. These platforms have their own preferred programming languages and frameworks.
2. When performance is a critical factor: Objective-C, being a dynamic language, incurs some runtime overhead compared to statically-typed languages like C or C++. For performance-critical applications, such as intensive mathematical calculations or real-time systems, using a lower-level language may be more appropriate.
3. When working on memory-constrained devices: Objective-C uses reference counting for memory management through its Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) system. While ARC helps manage memory automatically most of the time, it can still lead to memory leaks or inefficient memory usage in certain situations. In resource-constrained environments, such as embedded systems or IoT devices, a language with more deterministic memory management, like C or C++, may be preferred.
4. When building highly concurrent applications: Objective-C does offer support for multithreading and concurrency through technologies like Grand Central Dispatch (GCD). However, compared to languages specifically designed for concurrency, such as Go or Erlang, Objective-C might not provide the same level of built-in concurrency primitives and scalability.
5. When working with modern UI frameworks: Although Objective-C has been the primary language for developing Apple’s user interfaces, the introduction of Swift as a more modern and expressive language has led to a shift towards using Swift for UI development. Many of Apple’s latest UI frameworks and libraries are optimized for Swift, making it the recommended choice for new UI-centric projects.

TOP 15 Tech facts and history of creation and versions about Objective-C Development

• Objective-C is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language that was created in 1983 by Brad Cox and Tom Love.
• It was developed as an extension of the C programming language and introduced the concepts of object-oriented programming to the C language.
• Objective-C was heavily influenced by Smalltalk, another object-oriented programming language.
• One of the key features of Objective-C is its dynamic runtime, allowing objects to be created and modified at runtime.
• In 1996, NeXT Computer (founded by Steve Jobs) adopted Objective-C as the primary programming language for its NeXTSTEP operating system.
• Objective-C gained popularity with the rise of Apple’s iOS platform, as it became the main language for iOS and macOS app development.
• In 2014, Apple introduced Swift as a new programming language for iOS and macOS app development, but Objective-C remains widely used.
• Objective-C uses a unique syntax with square brackets to send messages to objects, which is different from the dot notation used in other languages.
• Objective-C includes features like categories, protocols, and dynamic typing, which provide flexibility and extensibility to the language.
• Objective-C supports automatic reference counting (ARC), a memory management system that automatically deallocates unused objects.
• Objective-C has a rich set of frameworks and libraries, such as Foundation and Cocoa, which provide pre-built functionality for app development.
• Objective-C has been used to develop many popular apps, including Instagram, Airbnb, and Dropbox.
• Objective-C has evolved over the years, with new versions introducing improvements and new features. The latest version is Objective-C 2.0.
• Objective-C has a strong developer community and numerous online resources for learning and support.
• Objective-C is still relevant today, especially for those maintaining legacy codebases or developing apps that need to integrate with existing Objective-C libraries.